[Jessica Jagerson]

MATTHEW 10 – GOT FEAR?

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

There are many things in this world we should fear. A malicious intruder at your doorstep, wanting to hurt your loved ones. Or perhaps a violent tornado directed towards your home. Or, perhaps a war zone where the enemy has broken your defense and is in hot pursuit of your life.

It is a healthy thing to fear those things that could kill the body, but you should not compare them with what could destroy the soul. For such assaults against the body are temporary, while the assaults against the soul are eternal.

The fate of each person is certain. We will be born into this world, and by appointment, we will all depart. The enemy of our souls seeks to taint and destroy our bodies. But satan has no power over the soul. Such authority belongs to God and God alone.

CHALLENGE

My friend, it is wise to revere the Lord who has the keys to the afterlife. For the Lord Jesus has the power to judge righteously and condemn the soul to hell. Do you know Him? “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12)

[Eugene Estes]

One of Jesus’ most important lessons about how to properly understand fear is found in Matthew 10:28. Humans are inherently afraid of events that endanger their physical well-being, such as violence, natural disasters, and danger. This kind of fear is understandable since it keeps us safe. But Jesus tells us that no matter how terrifying, physical threats are fleeting. The soul is impervious to any enemy on earth, even if the body is damaged or even destroyed. This difference forces believers to reconsider the true meaning of fear and to emphasize the eternal reality over the transient one.
The true focus should be on God, who is in charge of both life and eternity. God has the ultimate authority to decide each soul’s fate, unlike human threats. Jesus’ teachings encourage followers of Christ to live in reverent awareness of God’s holiness, justice, and authority rather than in continual fear of worldly problems. This regard is intended to lead the believer into a life of righteousness, humility, and obedience rather than to paralyze them.
Therefore, the question is whether we genuinely fear and honor God as Scripture teaches. Many individuals are afraid about getting sick, getting hurt, or failing, but they rarely consider their spiritual condition. Jesus asks us to adopt a more profound viewpoint, one that puts eternal repercussions ahead of momentary concerns. No physical danger can take away a person’s assurance and serenity when they put their faith in Christ. True life can only be found in the Son of God, according to 1 John 5:12.
Every Christian is ultimately called to consider their connection with Christ and their heart. Do we respect Him, believe in Him, and know Him? Beyond whatever the world can offer, fear of the Lord brings life, hope, and eternal security.

[Rodnika Brown]

really like how you clearly explain the difference between fear of physical danger and fear of God. Your point about fear being natural and even protective makes a lot of sense, and it helps show why Jesus isn’t dismissing fear altogether He’s redirecting it. I also appreciate how you emphasize that physical threats are temporary, while the soul and eternity matter far more.

Your focus on God’s authority over both life and eternity is especially strong. It’s a good reminder that fear of the Lord isn’t meant to paralyze us but to guide us toward obedience, humility, and righteous living. I also agree with what you said about how many people worry about health or failure but rarely reflect on their spiritual condition.

Overall, your post does a great job of pointing believers back to what truly matters—our relationship with Christ. The connection you made to 1 John 5:12 ties everything together well and reinforces that true life and peace come only through the Son of God.

[Hannah Street]

This devotional talks about how on this earth we will all live and we will all die. Many people worry about what happens after death and consider many different possibilities. With living on earth we can be afraid about many things, but those who have a relationship with God do not have to worry about what happens after we die. What happens to our souls after we die is for God to decide. If we believe in God and have a relationship with Him then we can trust that we will spend eternity with Him. Our eternity rests in the creator of the universe and we have been given the opportunity to have a relationship with Him when Jesus died for our sins. We not only get to have a relationship with God while we are here on earth, but we get to be in His presence for the rest of eternity in Heaven.

[Rodnika Brown]

Matthew 10:28 reminds us that while it’s ok to fear things that can harm our bodies,like violence, natural disasters, those fears are temporary. Jesus teaches that the soul matters more than the body because the soul is eternal. Physical harm only lasts for this life, but spiritual consequences last forever.

The passage also makes it clear that only God has authority over us . Satan may try to influence or deceive people, but he does not have the power to destroy the soul—only God does. Because of that, we should focus more on our relationship with God than on the fears of this world.

The challenge is to truly know Jesus, because Scripture says that having the Son means having life. This verse encourages believers to live with reverence for God rather than fear of worldly threats.

[Marisa Ross]

The heart of the message is about understanding what we should truly fear. It contrasts the temporary fear of physical harm with the eternal consequences of spiritual destruction. While it’s natural to fear things that can hurt our bodies, like intruders or natural disasters, these worries are minor compared to the fear of losing one’s soul. Key ideas include: Fear, distinguishing between a healthy reverence for God and fear of earthly dangers; Body vs. Soul, the mortal nature of the body versus the eternal nature of the soul; Authority over the Soul, stating that only God has the power to “destroy both soul and body in hell,” meaning no earthly power or even Satan can truly harm the soul; and Salvation through Jesus pointing to 1 John 5:12, which says having “the Son” means having “life,” showing this is the way to avoid eternal destruction. Overall, it’s a call to shift our priorities and focus on the infinite, placing our trust and reverence in God, and living a life that honors Him out of deep love and respect rather than fear.

[Author]

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